Boise, ID -- 04/08/2014 -- For the fifth consecutive year, all four of Boise School District's traditional high schools appear on the Washington Post's (formerly Newsweek's) annual listing of America's Most Challenging High Schools, which measures high school effectiveness in providing opportunities for rigorous coursework.

Boise, Borah, Capital and Timberline high schools rank among the top 9 percent of approximately 22,000 public high schools in the U.S. The four Boise District high schools are among only nine high schools in Idaho to earn this national recognition. With the rankings, the Boise School District also earns the distinction of having all four of its traditional high schools appear on the list.

Just over 2,020 public high schools, of approximately 22,000 U.S. public high schools, made the Washington Post list. The formula for the national rankings is simple: Take the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year and divide by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. This formula is called the Challenge Index. Public schools that achieved a ratio of at least 1.00, meaning they had as many tests in 2013 as they had graduates, were included on the national list at washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge

As part of its ranking of more than 2,020 high schools in the United States, Washington Post listed Boise High School as 402 (74 western U.S.), Borah High School as 1,572 (323 western U.S.), Capital High School ranked as 1,496 (306 western U.S.) and Timberline as 959 (191 western U.S.).

The 2013 Washington Post rankings show:

Boise High has an AP test ratio to student of 3.267;

Borah High has an AP test ratio to student of 1.509;

Capital High has an AP test ratio to student of 1.586; and

Timberline has an AP test ratio to student of 2.184.

This is the fifteenth year in a row that Boise High School has made the Post's national list, and the eighth year in a row, and tenth time overall, that Timberline High School has been listed. This is the sixth consecutive year that Borah High School has made the list and the fifth successive year that Capital High School has made the national list.

Boise School District Superintendent Dr. Coberly said the Washington Post rankings should not be misinterpreted by the public. "There are a wide variety of ways for a high school to be seen as successful," explained Dr. Coberly. "Washington Post uses one measure; however, we feel strongly that our alternative high school, Frank Church High School, is also meeting with tremendous success as illustrated by their increase in graduation rate from 28% to 75% in the past decade. We are equally proud of their efforts."

Regarding other measures of success, last year alone Boise District SAT scores were among the highest of any large school district in Idaho. Boise's college-going rates increased for the sixth consecutive year, and we have more graduates majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields than any other area. The District offers at least 23 AP offerings in each comprehensive high school, earning our students thousands of credit waivers and college credits at universities across the country. Learn more about the District's college-going rate here.